The white goldPatek Philippe5130Gwas introduced in 2006, as one of the latest chapters in a legacy of world-time wristwatches fromPatek Philippe. It combines a contemporary white gold case, guilloch dial and Cottier-inspired world time mechanism. Sixty years after the originalPatek Philippedesign, the5130Gcarries forward its legacy.

The World Time

By its very nature, the world time complication is one in varied, exciting locations. Invented in the 1930s by the Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier, a world time displays real time in key cities across the planets twenty-four time zones. Cottiers - used byVacheron ConstantinandPatek Philippeamongst others - laid the foundation for world time watches ever since.

In the design, the local time zone is set at the 12 o'clock position, with the hour and minute hand set at local time. The correct hours and minutes are then displayed for every time zone in the world simultaneously, with clear local-time indication on a single dial.In 1959,Patek Philippeobtained a patent for Cottier's device, with the manufacture having become synonymous with the complication.In 1953, they released thereference 2523, which has since come to be cemented as one of the manufacturers most iconic models.

The Design

Twenty-four cities are displayed on the silver outer edge of the dial, with a guilloch pattern found in the middle.The oversized Observatoire-style hands are reminiscent ofPatek Philippe's great world time watches from the past,also providing enhanced legibility against the centre portion of the dial.

At 39.5mm in diameter, the case is both contemporary and classic in its design. Its rounded shape, from its curved crown guards to its elongated lugs, lend fluidity and elegance to the watch. Polished throughout, the white gold case complements the ornate design of the dial.The pusher on the left side of the case is used to advance the hour hand forward in one-hour increments to set the local time when one is travelling. A truly functional complication, whichmay still prove useful today.

The Movement

Powered by the above-mentioned ultra-thin240 HU("Heure Universelle"), this self-winding movement features an elegant 22K gold micro-rotor, allowing a height below 3.9mm; despite the world-time mechanism, placed dial-side on top of the movement.

The240 HUfeatures aSpiromaxbalance spring, made of silicon-basedSilinvar, working in conjunction with aGyromaxbalance-wheel. The movement is beautifully finished, with finely-applied Geneva stripes, perlage and anglage, as well as exquisite chamfering on all angles.

The Set

This Patek Philippe ref. 5130G-001is accompanied by its outer box, inner box, envelope, leather folder, manuals and Certificate of Origin (confirming sale in December 2006).

Closer look